Vespa GS 150 – VS1 / 1955
The Vespa GS 150 / VS1 was Piaggio’s first sporty production Vespa. The abbreviation GS stands for Grand Sport, which refers to the model’s sporty performance. Equipped with a powerful 150cc engine, the GS had a distinctly sporty character. In addition to its impressive performance, the Vespa GS 150 / VS1 was also praised for its sporty design. Today, the GS is highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts for its historical significance and aesthetic appeal.
The 150 GS was a truly innovative model, destined to revolutionise the scooter market and was presented at the 32nd Milan Motor Show, held from 27 November to 8 December 1954. Based on the dates, the example exhibited at the show was probably a prototype without type approval; in fact, homologation certificate No. 413 dates from 27 December 1954, after the show had closed. A brand new Vespa, derived from and directly inspired by the famous Sei Giorni (Six Days) competition model of 1951, the 150 GS is considered by collectors to be one of the most beautiful and complete Vespas ever produced. Over the course of three years, Piaggio engineers designed a truly innovative scooter, silent when moving, offering the rider protection with excellent suspension and a high level of riding comfort. The long, two-seater, motorcycle-style saddle, made by Aquila, was large and comfortable. In addition, the rider could slide back and thus adopt a more aerodynamic position. The abbreviation VS was chosen for this model, which stood for Vespa Sport. This abbreviation would be used on all the following five series of the 150. After the Vespa Sport “6 Giorni”, where they were only available as an option, this was the first Vespa to be equipped with 10-inch wheels as standard.
The cast aluminium handlebars with integrated headlight and a speedometer with a scale of 120 km/h were unprecedented. For the first time on a Vespa we find an ignition lock with key, combined with the control of the headlights. The cylindrical key with spikes only acts as a contact point when it is inserted. Turning it to one side powers the horn, headlight and number plate lights when the engine is off, and to the other side when the engine is running. On the right, next to the accelerator pedal, we find a switch unit reduced to the bare essentials with only the horn button and, at the bottom, the lever for the low and high beams. The model was also the first to feature a four-speed gearbox, while the engine delivered 8 hp at 7,500 rpm, almost twice as much as the 125, which delivered 4.5 hp. This engine adopted all the technical features that had proven themselves on the Sport “6 Giorni